Pakistan Urges Sudan’s Warring Parties to Re-engage in Peace Talks

Pakistan has called on the warring factions in Sudan to resume negotiations and put an end to the ongoing conflict that has plagued the nation for over 21 months, causing immense suffering for the Sudanese people. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the appeal during a speech to the UN Security Council.

In his address, Ambassador Akram urged both sides — the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti — to honor their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration. This agreement called for the protection of civilians and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the pressing needs of the Sudanese population.

The conflict erupted in April 2023 when the SAF and RSF failed to reach an agreement on how to transition power to civilian governance, following the ousting of longtime president Omar al-Bashir in a military coup in 2019. The lack of compromise between the two factions resulted in widespread violence and instability.

Ambassador Akram condemned the blatant violations of International Humanitarian Law during the conflict and emphasized that the suffering of the Sudanese people must come to an end. He pointed out that nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population, approximately 11 million people, have been displaced, with millions more facing acute hunger and hardship.

The Ambassador specifically mentioned the recent attack on Saudi Hospital in Al-Fasher, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 70 innocent lives. This, along with numerous other atrocities committed by the RSF in regions such as Al Geneina, Al-Jazeera, and Khartoum, demonstrates a consistent disregard for international law, Akram said.

Pakistan, while not a signatory to the Rome Treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of accountability for international crimes. Ambassador Akram urged the ICC to maintain impartiality in its investigations, ensuring justice for all victims of war crimes, whether in Sudan, Gaza, Afghanistan, or elsewhere.

Pakistan reiterated its support for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The Ambassador emphasized the need for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict through diplomatic channels, stressing that the humanitarian crisis must be urgently addressed.

Pakistan continues to stand with the Sudanese people and calls for global unity in ending the ongoing violence and restoring peace to the war-torn nation.